Top-box fastener for wagon-bodies



' (No Model.)

T. G. MANDT; TOP BOX FASTENBR FDR WAGON BODIES. "No. 550,893. v Patented. Dec. 3, 18 95.

Win/E8858; JJVVEJVZ'OR' AN DREW EGRAHAM. PHOTOILHHQWASHINGTON D C,

NITED ATENT OFFICE.

TARGE G. MANDT, OF STOUGHTON, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN A. JOHNSON, OF

MADISON, WISCONSIN.

TOP-BOX FASTENER FOR WAGON-BODIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 550,893, dated December 3, 1895. Application filed April 5 1895. Serial 110644524. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TARGE G. MANDT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Stoughton, in the county of Dane and State of Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Top'Box Fasteners for \Vagon-Bodies; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in fasteners for securing top boxes to wagonbodies; and its object is to provide an improved construction of the same by which the top box may be secured to the body as securely as if made solid or in one piece therewith.

It is also an object to rigidly connect all the parts comprising the fastener to the top box and body, so that there will be no liability of losing the same, as is the case when thumb-screws and other like devices are employed for accomplishing the same purpose.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

I11 the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a wagon body and box with my improved device for fastening the same together. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the arm or bar secured to the top box and which carries the hooked lever detached from the box. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the bar or bracket with which the said lever engages detached from the wagon-body. Fig. 4: is a similar view of the same, looking from the opposite side.

I11 the said drawings, the reference-numeral 1 designates awagon-body of any ordinary or usual construction, and 2 atop box superimposed thereupon. At the front and rear ends on each. side the body 1 is provided with a bracket consisting of a vertical metal bar 3, secured thereto by means of bolts or rivets 3. The upper end of this bar is formed with an outwardly-extending flange 4, formed with a vertical wall 5, having an inwardly-projecting rib 6 near one end. Atits opposite end the bar is formed with a lug '7 for the passage of a bolt or rivet 8, and the flange 4c is formed with an opening or hole 9.

Secured to the top box by means of bolts or rivets 10 is a vertical bar 12, corresponding with the bracket secured to the said body 1. The lower ends of these bars project clownwardly a short distance below the lower edge of the top box, forming arms 14, which pass through the openings 9 in the flange 4 of the bracket 3. Each of these bars has formed integral with it a laterally-projecting lug 15, provided with an inwardlyextending stud 16, on which is journaled a lever 17, formed with a curved end or hook 18, formed on its outer face with a curved or segmental flange 19, which is adapted to engage with the rib 6 of the bracket 3.

The operation will be readily understood. The top box is placed on the body, as usual, the lower ends or arms 14 of the bars 12 passing through the openings in the flanges 4 of the brackets 3. The levers are then turned downwardly, causing the flanges 19 to engage under the ribs 6 of the walls or portions 5 of the brackets, securely connecting the body and the box together. By a reverse movement the ribs can be disengaged from the flanges.

From the above it will be seen that I provide a device possessing superior advantages with respect to efficiency in use. The top box and body can be so securely locked or connected together as to form practically a solid body, and yet they can be readily and easily disconnected when desired, and the parts comprising the device being all secured to the box and body there is no liability of losing the same.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- In a fastening device for connecting the body and top box of a wagon together, the combination with a bracket secured to said body, having an outwardly extending flange formed with an opening therein, the vertical wall and the inwardly extending rib, of the bar secured to the top boX the end of which is adapted to be inserted in said opening, the lug formed integral therewith, the pivot or stud connected with said lug, and the lever having a curved head or hook with an outwardly extending curved flange, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

TARGE G. MANDT.

\Vitnesses:

BEN E. WVAIT, A. O. ERIOKSON. 

